y uncommon
sensation. It's sometimes difficult to see ahead."

"Often," she answered, smiling. "What do you do then--stop a little and
consider?"

"Not as a rule. The longer you consider the difficulties, the worse they
look. It's generally better to go right on."

Millicent agreed with this; and soon afterward Lisle took his departure
and walked back to Nasmyth's in an unusually serious mood. They were
sitting smoking when his host broached the subject that was occupying
him.

"It's some time since you said anything about the project that brought
you over," he remarked.

"That's so," assented Lisle. "I'm fixed much as I was when we last spoke
of it. When I was in Canada, I thought I'd only to find Gladwyne and
scare a confession out of him. Now I find that what I've undertaken isn't
by any means so simple."

"I warned you that it wouldn't be."

"You were right. There's his mother to consider--it's a privilege to know
her--she's devoted to the fellow. Then there's Millicent; in a way, she's
almost as devoted, anyhow she's a staunch friend of his. I don't know how
either of them would stand the revelation."

"It would kill Mrs. Gladwyne," Nasmyth declared.

There was silence for a while, and then Lisle spoke again.

"I'm badly worried; any move of mine would lead to endless trouble--and
yet there's the black blot on the memory of the man to whom I owe so
much; I can't bring myself to let it remain. Besides all this, there's
another complication."

"Young Crestwick's somehow connected with it," Nasmyth guessed.

Lisle did not deny it.

"That crack-brained lad seems to be the pivot on which the whole thing
turns. Curious, isn't it? I wish the responsibility hadn't been laid on
my shoulders. Just now I can't tell what I ought to do--it's harassing."

"Don't force things; wait for developments," Nasmyth advised him. "I'm
not trying to extract information; the only reason I mentioned the
subject is that a man in the home counties has asked me to come up for a
few weeks and bring you along. He's a good sort, there's fair sport, and
it's a nice place; but I don't mind in the least whether I go or not."

"Then I'd rather stay. I've a feeling that I may be wanted here."

"I'm quite satisfied, for a reason I'll explain. You have ridden that
young bay horse of mine. He comes of good stock and he's showing signs of
an excellent pace over the hurdles. Now I couldn't expect to enter him
for any first-rate event--he